A developer has launched a bid to build six homes on a site in Althorne which was previously used for the restoration of classic cars.

Argent Developers hopes to demolish the existing commercial building on the site, on Buttons Barn on Southminster Road, and build four three-bedroom bungalows in its place.

The company also plans to convert another building on the land into two two-bedroom homes and a stable block into a waste and cycle storage facility.

In a statement, agent CODE Development Planners said new homes in the village are "much needed" and called the current site "somewhat unkempt and overgrown".

It said: "The overall intention of the scheme is to protect and enhance the landscape, natural resources, ecological value and the intrinsic character and beauty of the countryside in this location and as a whole.

"In our view, large commercial buildings and associated hardstanding do little to protect and enhance such features while carefully designed dwellings of reduced size and massing with landscaped spaces provided between buildings can achieve such gains."

It said the proposed buildings fall below the volume of existing development on the site, meaning there would be a "reduced site coverage of built form".

The site has been vacant for around four years as planning permission was granted for storage or distribution use but never implemented due to unforeseen personal circumstances of the previous applicant.

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Although the plans, if successful, would cause the loss of employment land, CODE said the site's potential to "offer a wide selection of possible employment uses is extremely limited" as it has a directly adjacent neighbour.

It added: "The site would have a greater benefit to the local community if it were developed for an alternative use - in this case, residential."

14 parking spaces are proposed for the homes.

Maldon District Council will make the final decision.